Ben's Talk3G Blog

For as long as I can remember I have carried around two mobile phones - one for business, and one for everything else.

This was great when all I used to carry was a 7610 and an 8310. Both were tiny and not much of a burden on my pockets.

Things all changed with the advent of 3G. Suddenly larger handsets with many more capabilities became more desirable. Despite a desire to carry two such phones, not being a big fan of full pockets I have instead been forced to keep Business on 2G to allow the rest of my life to operate in the 3G world.

When I got the iPhone 3G, I did something I've never done on either of my old mobile phones before. I set up call diverts to my iPhone. Next, I SMS'd everyone that texts me with my new iPhone number and MobileMe email for MMS.

Oh yes, ladies and gentlemen. I now carry Just one phone.

Initially there are big advantages to this. iPhone 3G may be sizeable due to its screen, but it's very thin and the remarkable tapered edges of the new version make it 'disappear' in your pocket. Oh, how I rejoice. Carrying one phone also makes it easier to have it with me all the time... rather than plonk one or both of them on a table somewhere and forget about them, particularly around the house.

There are also disadvantages. One battery, for a start, means paying a little more attention to the amount of power remaining. One network is another disadvantage. It needn't be, if that network were Vodafone, but O2's mobile phone network is pathetic in terms of coverage and quality in every area that I've used it so far (South East) and don't even get me started on their abysmal 3G coverage - how they managed to satisfy OFCOM that they've reached 80% population coverage is beyond me. Somebody at O2 has a very vivid imagination.

All in all, I'm greatly enjoying carrying just one mobile phone. The iPhone 3G is certainly the first phone that has made this a possibility for me.